Tempest and long darkness, coupled with imminent risk of shipwreck, had brought the crew of the vessel into a sad case; one man alone among them remained perfectly calm, and by his word the rest were reassured. Paul was the only man who had heart enough to say, "Sirs, be of good cheer." There were veteran Roman legionaries on board, and brave old mariners, and yet their poor Jewish prisoner had more spirit than they all. He had a secret Friend who kept his courage up. The Lord Jesus despatched a heavenly messenger to whisper words of consolation in the ear of His faithful servant, therefore he wore a shining countenance and spake like a man at ease.
If we fear the Lord, we may look for timely interpositions when our case is at its worst. Angels are not kept from us by storms, or hindered by darkness. Seraphs think it no humiliation to visit the poorest of the heavenly family. If angel's visits are few and far between at ordinary times, they shall be frequent in our nights of tempest and tossing. Friends may drop from us when we are under pressure, but our intercourse with the inhabitants of the angelic world shall be more abundant; and in the strength of love-words, brought to us from the throne by the way of Jacob's ladder, we shall be strong to do exploits. Dear reader, is this an hour of distress with you? then ask for peculiar help. Jesus is the angel of the covenant, and if His presence be now earnestly sought, it will not be denied. What that presence brings in heart-cheer those remember who, like Paul, have had the angel of God standing by them in a night of storm, when anchors would no longer hold, and rocks were nigh.
"O angel of my God, be near,
Amid the darkness hush my fear;
Loud roars the wild tempestuous sea,
Thy presence, Lord, shall comfort me."
Carryduff Free Presbyterian Church
Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind
Date: 27th March 2021 Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin Bible Reference: Acts 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Continue ReadingDate: 27th March 2021Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Continue ReadingDate: 27th March 2021Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Continue ReadingDate: 20th March 2021Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: Galatians 1:6-8 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of […]
Continue ReadingDate: 13th March 2021Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
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As we open our churches again for public worship, let’s look at what the Bible says about true, biblical worship.
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Date: 13th August 2020Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: Psalms 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray:but now have I kept thy word.
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Date: 11th August 2020Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: Psalms 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye,hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
Continue ReadingDate: 6th August 2020Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Continue ReadingDate: 4th August 2020Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: Psalms 85:6 6 Wilt thou not revive us again:that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Continue ReadingDate: 30th July 2020Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: Psalms 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most Highshall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
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Date: 28th July 2020Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: 1 Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish […]
Continue ReadingDate: 23rd July 2020Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto […]
Continue ReadingDate: 21st July 2020Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: 1 Corinthians 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
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Date: 16th July 2020Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
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Carryduff Free Presbyterian Church
Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind
